Hooded Merganser #18-0742 update

On June 7, rehabilitator Brie moved the Hooded Merganser duckling #18-0742 and Wood Duckling #18-0958 into a waterfowl rearing tub in one of the Center’s outdoor enclosures. The tub allowed the ducklings to swim freely and more frequently.

After spending ten days in the waterfowl rearing tub, the ducklings were moved into an Aviary enclosure with a permanent swimming tub on June 18. They can now explore the larger space and swim in deeper water. Rehabilitator Brie reported that the first thing the merganser duckling did when placed in the deeper was dive under water and scope for food.

The rehabilitation staff is offering the merganser duckling live prey (tadpoles) in the pool, allowing the young bird to practice the hunting skills it will need in the wild. When the ducklings are slightly older and larger, the staff will offer bigger minnows and silversides. Both ducklings are getting a specialized waterfowl meal, with mealworms and greens. The Wood Duckling is eating fruit in addition to the waterfowl meal, and when the duckling is slightly larger, the staff will offer acorns.

The Hooded Merganser will need to remain in the Center’s care for several more weeks, as this species would typically fledge and leave their mothers when they are approximately ten weeks old. Wood Ducklings normally fledge between six to eight weeks old, but because the Wood Duckling was admitted at a younger age than the merganser, the two should be ready for release around the same time. The plan is to release the two ducklings together this summer.

References: Birds of North America, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/home